NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expected 18 of 31 NATO members to meet the 2% GDP defense spending goal in 2024, an increase of seven countries from the previous year

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Feb. 14 that he expected 18 of the 31 NATO members, including Germany, to meet the goal of spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense in 2024, an increase of seven countries from the previous year.

18 of the alliance's 31 countries are set to hit its defence spending target this year

The number of states reaching two percent of GDP was expected to jump from 11 in 2023

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană stated that the war is likely to be long and difficult and the best strategy is to help Ukraine win.

Geoană responded to Vladimir Putin's statement calling on the West to stop helping Ukraine.

Geoană claimed that insufficient assistance to Ukraine would be a strategic mistake and an invitation to aggressive forces.

Geoană noted that Russia's aggressive instincts go beyond Ukraine and Vladimir Putin views the West as his enemy.

NATO's eastern flank has been strengthened with Finland joining and Sweden awaiting final approval from Hungary.

Almost 20 NATO Allies have increased military spending to 2% of GDP, compared to only 9 last year.